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ADAM19, is a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease-like domain) family. It has been cloned from mouse and human. ADAM19 was first described in muscle cells as a protein with homology to the fertilins (ADAMs 1 and 2). Initial observations indicated a role for ADAM19 in myoblast fusion, similar to sperm-egg fusion aided by ADAMs 1 and 2. Later works describe ADAM19 in the bone, muscle, lung, heart, brain, kidney, and a wide range of tissues. Also reported is a sequence of ADAM19 lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, suggesting that a soluble form is produced. Other ADAMs family members (ADAM-10, ADAM-17) have been more thoroughly studied, and are known to play key roles in inflammation, growth factor maturation and release, and a wide range of other functions.